Childhood Vaccines are Safer than You Think: Most Side Effects are Extremely Rare

Though some parents may worry about the side-effects of certain vaccines, a recent analysis of 67 research studies makes two positive points: one, serious complications from vaccines are rare, and two, there is zero evidence to suggest that immunizations cause autism.

"Our findings support that vaccines are very safe for children, and add to a substantial body of evidence that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the very low risks," said senior author Dr. Courtney Gidengil, an associate physician scientist at the nonprofit RAND Corporation and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. "Hopefully, this will engage hesitant parents in discussions with their health care providers."

For the study, officials from the Rand Corporation, which was commissioned by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, were able to review available data on the safety of vaccines that are recommended for children, adolescents, pregnant women and adults. The team conducted a systemic review of the studies and also examined a previews review compiled by the Institute of Medicine in 2011 that involved over 1,000 studies.

Researchers concluded that there was no relationship between inoculation for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines and the risk of autism. Similarly, there was no association between MMR, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), tetanus, influenza and hepatitis B vaccines cause leukemia.

However, in very rare cases, more severe side effects still stand. For instance, reports found that the rotavirus vaccine can lead to severe gastrointestinal infections among newborns and younger children.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also shows a more extensive list of possible side-effects, ranging from mild to more severe. 

"We found that the serious adverse effects linked to vaccines are extremely rare," said lead author Margaret Maglione, a policy analyst at RAND Corporation, via Health Day. "The rate [for rotavirus] is about one in 100,000 to five in 100,000, so it is extremely rare."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Pediatrics.